High Court Weighs
Property Rights
Vs. Public Good

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court heard arguments in two separate property cases that local authorities overstepped constitutional bounds by making property owners give up too much for the public good.

The first case involves the city of New London, Conn., which wants to condemn 15 houses to make way for development. In the second, the Hawaii Legislature capped rents that oil refiners in the state can charge service-station lessees,...